This project provides a pattern and instructions for assembling a stand for an iPad. It will hold the iPad in landscape or portrait orientation at a comfortable angle. I use it for watching videos and slideshows. It also keeps iPad from getting lost under the piles of paper on your desk!

While I have used a pizza box to demonstrate the technique, I've also had very good luck with 2 mm matte board from the art store. The matte board is stiffer and nicer looking than a pizza box.

I have not made any allowances for the power plug, but a simple hole in the crossbar will allow the plug to pass through. Feel free to modify the design to your own taste.

On to the first step!

Step 1: Print Out the Pattern

Use your printer to print out the iPad stand pattern. I have included two versions: a stand that was the size I liked best and a smaller stand that has been scaled to fit on printers that won't print a full 10x7.5.

Try printing the larger one first and if it gets cut-off on the edges, then use the smaller one.

Step 2: Find a Pizza Box

If you're like me, there's a bunch of old pizza boxes laying around the office. Check the recycling, in the fridge, wherever. Just make sure it's not greasy; your iPad deserves the best.

Any stiff cardboard will do. Cut off a chunk big enough to make your stand. Like I said in the intro, I prefer using matte board from the art store. Whatever you choose, make sure it's big enough to be covered by the pattern.

Step 3: Attach the Pattern to the Cardboard

I stapled the pattern to the cardboard. You could also use glue stick to tack it on. Just make sure that the pattern is firmly attached.

If you use staples, put them in roughly the same place I did so that they will be out of the way for the cutting and folding.

Step 4: Cut Out the Pieces

There are two main pieces, the stand itself (the big one) and the crossbar (the smaller rectangle).

If you have one, use a paper cutter to cut along the main lines. After that, use some scissors to cut out the curvy parts on the main stand. I made several relief cuts to make it easier to get at the inside corners. Use your best judgement.

Since those inside corners are going to be covered by the crossbar, it's not super-important to get them perfect. If things aren't fitting later on, you can clean them up more as you need to.

For the crossbar, leave the small slits for later, those require some special fitting later on.

Step 5: Score and Fold Out the Legs

Now that the pattern is cut out, put the crossbar aside for a second. We're going to tackle folding the legs out of the main stand section.

My preferred method is to use a pair of scissors to score the dashed line. Don't go all the way through the cardboard, just cut enough to help you bend it. Use the straight edge to guide your cut. Make sure it's super straight or your whole stand will come out wobbly.

After you've scored both dashed lines, bend the cardboard. The pattern will be on the outside of the fold. If you try to bend it the other way, that will not work very well.

Step 6: Make Slits in the Crossbar

Now that the legs are folded out, put the main stand away and get out the cross-bar again.

You will need to cut out the inset slits so that the crossbar will fit over the main body legs. Make the width of the slits according to the thickness of the pizza box (or matte board) that you chose to use.

I used a scrap of cardboard leftover from the pattern to test against. Just gradually widen the slit until you get a nice snug fit. Be careful that you don't go to wide or things might get a bit wobbly and loose.

Step 7: Assemble Your Stand

Assemble your stand. Slip the crossbar over the legs of the main stand body. If all goes well your done! Remove the staples and the pattern. Click to the next step for some iPad stand beauty shots, otherwise, read on for some assembly tips.

Most likely if you're having trouble at this point, you've got to adjust the slits in the crossbar. You may have to make the slits wider or deeper so that the crossbar will slip snugly over the legs. If the inside corners on the legs aren't cut nicely, trim those out a little better and try again.

Step 8: Enjoy Your New Stand

Watch some movies, enjoy a slideshow, show it off to your friends, or just unclutter your desk. I'm not gonna tell you how to enjoy this thing.

I've also included some pictures of my version I made out of matte board. I like that one a little more.

If you use my design or make some modifications, send me a message, I'd really enjoy hearing from you!